Australia take unassailable series lead as Kiwis burnt by bowling firepower

Tim Paine boasted of his bowling attack’s “absolute firepower” after Australia beat New Zealand by 247 runs with a day to spare in the second Test to clinch the three-match series.

Australia set New Zealand a target of 488 to win yesterday and fast bowler James Pattinson (3-35) did the early damage to propel the home team toward victory. He tore though New Zealand’s top-order batting, including dismissing captain Kane Williamson lbw for a duck and Ross Taylor, bowled for two.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon took four crucial wickets to help steer Paine’s men to an unbeatable lead in the threematch series, which concludes with the Sydney Test starting on Friday.

New Zealand were bowled out for 240 in their second innings after being skittled for 148 in the first as they slipped to back-to-back defeats. They had few contributors, although pace bowler Neil Wagner took seven wickets in another hearty display.

Tom Blundell also provided what skipper Williamson described as a “silver lining”. Thrust into the opening role, he scored a stylish 121, his second century in three Tests, having played two Tests in 2017 batting at No 8. Resuming on day four on 137-4, Australia declared their second innings closed at 168-5, an overall lead of 487.

New Zealand lost three wickets for three runs in a toporder collapse as Pattinson struck three times in two overs, leaving Williamson’s line-up in a desperate position at 38-3 at lunch.

Blundell, pictured, shared half-century partnerships with Henry Nicholls (33) and BJ Watling (22) to revive the innings. But Lyon had Nicholls neatly stumped by Paine at 89-4 and then had Watling caught at leg slip to make it 161-5.

Colin de Grandhomme (9), Mitch Santner (27) and Tim Southee (2) were unable to take the game into a fifth day, and injured bowler Trent Boult did not bat because of a fractured hand. Blundell, who struck 15 fours in his 210 deliveries and was prepared to take on the short ball, was last man out, caught by Lyon at mid-on.

Paine said: “We’ve got some absolute firepower with the ball. All of them are going to have their day in the sun.”

Williamson said Australia’s pace attack, with Pattinson joining Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, expertly utilised the conditions.

“Their accuracy was the thing that perhaps stood out,” he said.

“Their bowlers certainly came in and hit the wicket hard and bowled exceptionally well.”